"We all know this kind of stuff happens in our business and we all have to be prepared and nothing's forever and you have to be willing to change, but it was shocking," Inaba continued. "I'm not going to lie—I was shocked and saddened."

"I have enjoyed seven seasons co-hosting DWTS but understand the need for change considering the position of the show at this juncture," she said in a statement. "I've always been one to embrace change and looking forward to pursuing opportunities I previously wasn't able to entertain because of contractual obligations to the show. I've seen my fair share of shocking eliminations in the ballroom but this one takes the cake."

Describing Andrews as "really tough," Inaba said, "I think it's going to change the vibe of the show a little bit."

"I think that when she's asking questions she's going to push some buttons a little bit," she said. "I'm curious to see how that'll work."

Sources told E! News yesterday that ABC hopes Andrews will lure back younger viewers and increase viewership. "They don't want the ratings to keep dipping," a source who works on the show said.

Although Dancing routinely beat NBC's The Voice in its most recent season, it has been hemorrhaging young viewers in recent seasons—many of whom have switched over to The Voice.